Chapter 14: My Husband's Final Bargain
I refused.
There was no way I was meeting Nathan alone after everything he'd done.
But Detective Mitchell had another suggestion.
"We can arrange a recorded meeting in a controlled location," she explained.
"Officers will be present nearby. You won't be in any danger.""
Dad immediately objected.
"Absolutely not.""
I looked at him.
"I need to hear what he has to say.""
"Danielle, he's lied to you for years.""
"Exactly. I want to know why.""
After several minutes, Detective Mitchell arranged the meeting at a conference room inside the police station.
Nathan arrived wearing the navy suit I'd bought him for our first wedding anniversary.
Seeing him made my stomach twist.
He looked tired.
But when his eyes landed on me, he smiled.
"Danielle.""
I didn't smile back.
"Sit down.""
He pulled out a chair.
"How's Grace?""
"Don't.""
His expression changed.
"I just asked about my daughter.""
"You lost the right to pretend we're a normal family.""
He looked toward the detective standing outside the glass partition.
"Are we being recorded?""
"Yes," I answered.
He sighed.
"Of course.""
I placed both hands on the table.
"Why did you marry me?""
Nathan leaned back.
"That's a complicated question.""
"Try answering it.""
He looked down.
"Your grandmother introduced us.""
"I know.""
"She told me about the family trust. She said you were going to inherit a substantial amount, and that the family needed someone financially capable to help manage it.""
I stared at him.
"So you married me for money.""
"Not exactly.""
"What does that mean?""
He rubbed his forehead.
"I did care about you.""
I laughed bitterly.
"You secretly ordered a DNA test on our daughter, helped forge documents, and slept with Vanessa while I was giving birth.""
His jaw tightened.
"I made mistakes.""
"Mistakes?""
"Margaret promised me a position in the company. She said I'd eventually be responsible for managing the trust.""
"And Vanessa?""
He looked away.
"That started later.""
"How much later?""
"About a year ago.""
I felt sick.
"While I was pregnant?""
He nodded.
"Yes.""
I stared at him.
"Did you ever love me?""
He didn't answer.
That silence was enough.
Then he reached into his jacket.
"I have something for you.""
He placed a small envelope on the table.
I didn't touch it.
"What is it?""
"The original instructions Margaret sent me before our wedding.""
I looked at the envelope.
"Why are you giving me this?""
"Because I want to cooperate.""
"You're not doing this for me.""
He sighed.
"No. I'm doing it because Margaret is trying to make me the only person responsible.""
I opened the envelope.
Inside was a printed email.
Margaret had written:
Once Danielle becomes emotionally and financially dependent on Nathan, he will have sufficient influence to guide decisions concerning the trust. Do not discuss the inheritance arrangements until the marriage is secure.
Beneath it was Nathan's reply.
Understood. I will handle it.
I closed my eyes.
"How could you?""
He leaned forward.
"Danielle, I can explain the financial arrangements. But there's something more important.""
"What?""
"Margaret didn't just arrange our marriage. She arranged the paternity investigation.""
I stared at him.
"We already know she fabricated the report.""
"No. You don't understand. She never wanted the actual result.""
My stomach tightened.
"What are you saying?""
Nathan looked toward the door.
"She wanted you to believe Grace wasn't mine. She thought you'd panic, leave the marriage, and become vulnerable enough for her lawyers to challenge your ability to manage the trust.""
I shook my head.
"But the original report confirmed you're Grace's father.""
"Yes.""
"Then why did you go along with it?""
He lowered his voice.
"Because Margaret promised me that if the transfer succeeded, I'd receive eight million dollars.""
I felt something cold settle in my chest.
Eight million dollars.
That was the price he'd placed on his wife and newborn daughter.
I pushed the envelope away.
"You're disgusting.""
Nathan's expression hardened.
"Don't pretend your family is innocent. Your father knew about the financial problems. Your grandmother controlled the company.
Your brother signed the documents. Everyone was getting something.""
"Not me.""
He said nothing.
Then he reached into his pocket and placed a small USB drive on the table.
"This contains the recording of Margaret discussing your mother's accident.""
My breath caught.
"We already have Richard's recording.""
"This is different.""
"How?""
Nathan leaned forward.
"Because Margaret wasn't talking to Richard.""
I stared at him.
"Who was she talking to?""
He looked directly into my eyes.
"Your father.""
My heart stopped.
Nathan continued.
"Your mother had discovered that Margaret was stealing money. But she also found evidence that your father had approved some of the transfers without knowing where the money was going. Margaret threatened to expose him.""
I shook my head.
"You're lying.""
"Listen to the recording.""
I took the USB drive.
Then Nathan added:
"Your father knew your mother was going to the police that night.""
I stood so quickly my chair scraped against the floor.
"Enough!""
The door opened.
Detective Mitchell entered.
"Mr. Brooks, the meeting is over.""
Nathan stood.
"Danielle, I'm trying to help you.""
I turned toward him.
"No. You're trying to save yourself.""
He looked at me for a long moment.
Then he said something that made my blood run cold.
"Ask your father why he never reported your mother's second phone missing.""
I froze.
Nathan was escorted out.
I remained standing beside the table, holding the USB drive.
When I returned to the hospital, Dad was waiting beside Grace's crib.
He smiled when he saw me.
"How did it go?""
I didn't answer.
I placed the USB drive on the table.
"Nathan says you were involved in the transfers.""
Dad's smile disappeared.
"He also says you knew Mom was going to the police.""
My father sat down.
"Danielle, please.""
I looked at him.
"Tell me the truth.""
He stared at the USB drive.
Then he whispered:
"Your mother called me twice that night. But I never told you about the second call.""
My chest tightened.
"What did she say?""
Dad's eyes filled with tears.
"She told me she had found something in Margaret's office. Something involving me.""
"What?""
He looked at Grace.
Then back at me.
"She said Margaret had been using my signature to authorize payments. And she had proof that I had unknowingly approved the largest transfer.""
I shook my head.
"Why didn't you tell the police?""
"Because I thought the evidence would destroy the company. I thought I could fix everything privately.""
I felt tears sliding down my cheeks.
"You let everyone believe Mom died in an accident.""
Dad lowered his head.
"Yes.""
Before I could respond, Detective Mitchell called.
Her voice was urgent.
"Ms. Brooks, we have executed a search warrant at the Whitmore estate.""
I gripped the phone.
"And?""
"We found the original documents your mother took.""
I closed my eyes.
"Does it identify who was responsible?""
The detective paused.
"Yes. But there's something you should know.""
"What?""
"The documents indicate that Margaret arranged the financial conspiracy. However, the evidence also suggests your mother survived the initial crash.""
I looked at Dad.
He had gone completely still.
The detective continued.
"Someone made a second call that night. A call that delayed the emergency response.""
I felt my stomach turn.
"Who made it?""
May you like
The detective answered quietly.
"Your grandmother.""
